AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): Shiites form an important part of Afghanistan’s plural society. After the return of the Taliban to power in the country, the Shiites seek to assert their rights, participate in decision-making, and participate in the political structure.
In an interview with ABNA News Agency, the representative of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly in Afghanistan, and the head of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) Lovers Assembly of the country explained the situation of Shiites in Afghanistan under Taliban rule.
The full interview with Hojat al-Islam Sayed Hossein Alemi Balkhi is as follows:
ABNA – First of all, please explain the situation of Shiites in Afghanistan under the Taliban’s rule over this country.
Alemi Balkhi – During the second rule of the Taliban over the country, Shiite religious rituals have not faced any problems or restrictions. Shiites commemorate Muharram and Ashura, Qadr Nights, Fatemiyah Days, and Ghadir celebrations, more magnificently than before. For example, in the celebration of Ghadir in the past years, there were no “Saghakhanes”, but this year we had them.
According to the old tradition in Afghanistan, Sunni officials participate in the Muharram and Ashura mourning ceremonies of Shiites every year. But last year, the officials of the Islamic Emirate also participated in the Eid Ghadir ceremony.
The activities of the religious schools and the offices of the Maraje (sources of emulation) continue as before, and none of them have faced any problems or issues. Even in some cities, the Taliban asked Shiite ulama “Why your religious schools are few,” and “Increase the number of your religious schools”! This is because they are not in favor of modern or government schools and therefore, encourage the development and increase of religious schools.
Officials of the Islamic Emirate provide and guarantee the security of mosques, Hussainiyas, seminaries, and places belonging to Shiites that are under threat. In Muharram last year, some Daesh forces were prepared to attack a mourning ceremony or intended to explode and carry out suicide operations. But the Taliban discovered the hideout of terrorists and clashed with them, and as a result, three Daesh terrorists were killed, one was captured, and six Taliban forces lost their lives. The Taliban did this to defend a mourning ceremony during the Muharram. Of course, they are seriously opposed to Tarbir. We do not accept these things and the Maraje (sources of emulation) are also against it. In any case, the Taliban generally not only do not oppose the holding of religious ceremonies but also participate in the ceremonies themselves.
ABNA – In what issues do the Shiites, especially the scholars, have problems with the Taliban?
Alemi Balkhi – There are some problems with some issues.
First, there is no Shiite at the level of a minister in the composition of the cabinet and in political and executive matters. While in the past governments, there were Shiites in the cabinet. That is, we have a problem with the Taliban in terms of political participation at the general level. Because we are still not present in the decision-making process at the high and national levels.
Second, in the past, there was a Shiite personal law according to Shiite fiqh (jurisprudence) and it was implemented in the country. But so far, the authorities of the Islamic Emirate have not recognized this law. However, the judges of the courts refer Shiites’ disputes to Shiite ulama. This is an informal process similar to a customary court, and we demand that it be formalized so that there are Shiite judges in the courts.
The third issue is the teaching of Shiite fiqh (jurisprudence) and beliefs in public schools and universities, which the Taliban have not yet agreed to.
Fourth, the legitimacy of the Shia was included in the previous constitution. But the Taliban have not drafted a constitution yet. We hope that the Shia will be recognized in the new constitution.
These are the things we are concerned about. But in Shiite rituals, the Taliban have cooperated so far. Last year, we (Shiites) had three days of Eid al-Fitr. One day, some Shiites, based on their reasons, celebrated Eid al-Fitr at the same time as the Taliban. Therefore, the Taliban ensured the security of the places where the Shiites prayed Eid prayers. Some Shiites celebrated the second day of Eid al-Fitr. Because they were imitators of Ayatollah Fayyaz. On this day also the Taliban ensured the security of the Shiites’ Eid prayers. But the main Eid al-Fitr of the Shiites was on the third day, which Ayatollah Sistani and Iran had declared the same day as Eid. On the third day, when our ceremony was held magnificently, the Taliban ensured its security. That is, the Taliban provided security for one day for themselves, and three days for the Shiites.
Unfortunately, this year, problems arose during the Eid prayer ceremony in some areas. People were forced to break their fast on Friday and participate in Eid prayers. Of course, on Saturday, all Shiites participated in their Eid prayers, and the Taliban provided security for the ceremonies.
ABNA – Some sites announced that the Taliban are bringing people from Pakistan and settling them in some Shiite areas, that is, they are usurping their homes and land. Is this true?
Alemi Balkhi – No, this is not true. Of course, in some cities and villages, people have disputes about land from the past, which have not been resolved in the courts. Or some claim that the court did not examine the case fairly. Such issues are raised. But it is completely false that the Taliban bring people from Pakistan and settle them in the Shiite areas.
The government of the Islamic Emirate has no problem with the fact that Shiites are citizens of the country. But in the issue of political and judicial rights, we Shiites have demands and have not yet reached an agreement with the Taliban.
ABNA – The Taliban are not a single group but two branches. Are there any differences between the two?
Alemi Balkhi – They are not so different. Their difference is like reformists and fundamentalists in Iran and nothing more. There are extremists in every group. Haqqani and Kandahari factions are different. There are three or four factions of the Taliban that are strong and weak in their beliefs.
ABNA – Please explain the activities of the Shiite Ulema Council of Afghanistan.
Alemi Balkhi – By the grace of God, the Ulama Council of Afghanistan is coherently active, and we are trying to coordinate and integrate other Shiites and politicians who are active in different spheres of the country. We have held four consultation sessions so far. In 2020, when the Taliban had not yet come to power, we held a session. Because we predicted that they would come to power, and we would need cohesion and harmony among the Shiites. We held another session on April 4, 2021. On that day, the Taliban had not yet come to power. After the Taliban came to power, we held two sessions in September 2021 and January 2022 and prepared a text titled “Views and demands of the Shiite Society” which was agreed upon and approved by all Shiites in the country.
But from a practical point of view, in following up on these demands from the Taliban, the coordination is a little weak. Everyone and every group are acting separately, and we are trying to create harmony among the Shiites. In the next few days and as a continuation of the previous sessions, we are going to hold a session for the coordination and cohesion among Shiites. We hope that the coordination between the Shiites will increase.
ABNA – How do you evaluate the prohibition of women’s education in Afghanistan under the Taliban government?
Alemi Balkhi – Women play an essential role in society, and raising a family is the responsibility of this hardworking group. On the other hand, society needs the expertise of women. For example, the physician for women should be a woman so that women can refer to her more easily. We hope that the problem of banning women’s education will be solved. Of course, the Taliban said that if classes for male and female students are held separately in universities, they will not prevent women from education, but this issue was not observed. The Taliban also said that curtains should be placed between male and female students in university classes and that women’s hijab should be fully observed. But the students did not observe this issue either. Therefore, the Taliban suspended the education and training of women until the facilities are provided and male and female students can study within the framework of Sharia rules and regulations. This means that the ban on women’s education is not permanent. The position of the Taliban is always that the ban on education is not permanent, but a suitable ground should be provided for it.
The Taliban claims that it is reconsidering the curriculum and providing an educational environment. But it is not known how long and how many years this process will take. There was a similar problem at the beginning of Iran’s Revolution. Therefore, Iranian universities were closed for a couple of years. We hope that, as it is said, the ban on women’s education is temporary, and just as the problem of universities was solved in Iran, it should also be solved in Afghanistan. But God knows how long it will take to solve this problem.
ABNA – As a final question, how do you evaluate the future of Afghanistan?
Alemi Balkhi – The future always depends on our current performances. What we do today will shape the future. For now, I am neither pessimistic about the future nor very optimistic! Considering the existing issues in Afghanistan, and the fact that women are deprived of education and work, our political and judicial demands have not yet come to fruition, and it is not clear if it will.
Daesh is active in Afghanistan. Sometimes the activity of these terrorists increases, sometimes it decreases, and they are hit. The Americans sometimes show a green light to the government of the Islamic Emirate, sometimes they show a red light. The interaction of other countries in the region with the government of the Islamic Emirate is the same, and no country has yet recognized the Taliban. On the other hand, the Taliban’s approach is independent and self-reliant, and this is a thing that was once one of the dreams in Afghanistan, and people are happy with this approach. The government of the Islamic Emirate is making a lot of efforts so that the crime rate in Afghanistan has decreased, the security situation has improved, and the number of moral corruptions in the society has decreased. Also, in the ranking of administrative corruption, Afghanistan was always in third or fourth place. But last year, after the Taliban came to power, Afghanistan reached the 25th rank. This means that the state of administrative corruption in the country has improved by 20 levels. This situation is promising, but what the future holds depends on our performance today.
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